House of Krug: A Story of Passion & Craftsmanship

One doesn’t think of France without thinking of its exquisite Champagne and one doesn’t think of Champagne without thinking of Krug Grande Cuvee. Senior winemaker Olivier Krug deep dives into the sea of heritage and legacy of the House of Krug, as Krug Grande Cuvee relaunches in India

By: Jiya Sharma

Posted on: October 30, 2019

Let me take you back to the mid 17th century France; part of the luxurious bourgeoisie. Streets of Paris are buzzing with merchants, traders and horses galloping about in a rich Baroque influenced setting. Louis XIV has just become king and the “Grande Siècle” is upon us. Economic prosperity, social stability and unforeseen luxury at the new Palace at Versailles grab world attention. Just when we thought nothing could be better, “Come quickly, I’m tasting the stars,” says Dom Perignon, as he invents Champagne in 1693. There was no looking back ever since.

It is virtually impossible to visit France and not taste its exquisite cheese, bread, wine and of course, champagne. Development and acceptance of champagne to the present bubbly and pale form has been a result of the hard work of some great Champagne Houses. One house, that has been at the forefront of the development of exquisite champagnes, is the House of Krug. When in France, it is almost impossible to miss indulging in the exemplary Krug wines and champagnes. However, the rush of tourists and the fast-moving life does sometimes force one to miss the opportunity. But wait, the House of Krug is not the one to disappoint its clients and is, therefore, efficiently expanding across the globe, intermingling cultures and tingling senses.

In 1843, a time when Dandyism and the Victorian Era were in full swing, Joseph Krug founded the House of Krug & Compagnie in Reims, France. He aimed to fulfil his dreams to create the very best quality Champagne every single year, irrespective of weather conditions and harvest. To fight this unreliability of weather, a big pain point in wine production, he devised a plan to create a reserve of rich wines. The art that winemaking is, and the artist that Joseph Krug was, this reserve eventually became his diverse mixing palette. Joseph believed that true champagne illustrated a particular expression of Nature, which is what he created.

Currently, the House of Krug is under the direction of the sixth generation of the family, led by Olivier Krug. Eldest of five children, a dynamic, charming and passionate Krug lover, he had his first taste of Krug the day he was born. Born and brought up in Reims, France, the Krug cellars became Mr. Krug’s playground growing up, and Krug champagne, his passion. A drop of Krug was placed on Mr. Krug’s lips at birth. Wine and champagne are like the French’s butter chicken! You never forget the first time you tasted it! For Mr. Krug, however, this is a memory he cherishes through his family and the deep connection he’s had with it ever since.

Speaking of butter chicken, Moet Hennessey India has announced a relaunch of Krug Grande Cuvee this year. Encompassing 20 years of craftsmanship, each glass is reminiscent of the elegance of French culture and deliciousness of French patisseries. A blend of 120 wines from up to 10 different vintages, the Krug Grande Cuvee is the perfect marriage between Krug’s philosophy and age-old savoir-faire, perfect to celebrate the big fat Indian Wedding. At a time when India rediscovers itself as the “sone ki chidiya” or Golden Bird, with the social and economic resurgence and prosperity, a sip of the exquisite champagne with notes of toasted bread, hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar and jellied fruits, compliments the country’s mood perfectly. Apart from Krug Grande Cuvee, Mr. Krug’s recommendation is Krug Rosé or the rosé Champagne to further embolden the experience of eating delicious Chicken Tikka Masala.

Mr. Joseph Krug’s entire journey building the House is found in a cherry red notebook he recorded his thoughts in. This inspired the House through the years and led it to have the legacy it carries forward today. Interestingly, Krug champagne is a great company to the avid music lover. Mr. Krug recalls listening to his grandfather’s Jazz music collection, while the whole family enjoyed Krug Champagne together. “Krug can go beyond the traditional boundaries and connect with Krug Lovers in a nontechnical, universal language that is easy to understand – one that conveys sensations and pleasure,” he says. In that spirit, House of Krug developed “Krug Echoes”, a universe of Music pairings that allow one to share the sensorial experience of drinking Krug Champagne and immerses them into a French atmosphere.

Named the world’s most generous champagne, a sip of Krug Grande Cuvee transports one to the city of lights, watching the Seine gloriously flow like a river of champagne in all its abandon. Its bubbles may as well be stars, the very stars that illuminate Champs Élysées and bring Eiffel Tower to life each night. A sight, the feeling of which, one would never want to miss out on.

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